Leg traction device



Dec. 24,1957 J. cJCoL'E LEG TRACTION DEVICE Filed Dec. so, 1955 lllll IUFIIIIII rlllll IIIIIL ill a United States Patent LEG TRACTION DEVICE James C. Cole, Bluelield, W. Va.

Application December 30, 1955, Serial No. 556,716

3 Claims. (Cl. 128-84) The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in traction devices and analogous constructions and has reference in particular to a leg traction device for home and similar use and wherein the construction is such that the device may be periodically used, whenever necessary or desired, to stretch and apply tension to a leg of the user.

Although the art to which the invention relates reveals and teaches the appropriation and use of many and variet i styles and forms of limb traction devices, the majority of these devices are expressly designed and constructed for use by so-called bed patients confined to hospitals and similar places of treatment. The purpose and objective in for instant matter is to provide an unusually simple, economical and practical traction device which lends itself to temporary use with the idea in mind of relieving tension and pain whenever and at such times that stress and strain have resulted in annoying and troublesome aches and pains in ones hip and leg joints.

There has long existed a need for leg traction means expressly devised for home use whenever the occasion for such use arises. In carrying out the principles of the instant invention just such a device has been devised. With a view toward achieving this new and improved result a readily applicable and removable leg bandage is provided. This preferably takes the form of an elastic footless stocking which can be rolled and then slipped over the foot and ankle, unrolled and thus applied to stay in place with formfitting tenacity. Adding thereto a stirrup-like sling permits one to employ a weighted rope or equivalent flexible element and a simple suspension pulley.

A further object is to provide a stocking and sling permanently joined together and made of washable material, permitting the device to be used over and over to the satisfaction and gratification of the user thereof.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the improved traction device showing the manner in which it is used;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same;

Figure 3 is a perspective View of the specially fabricated strap which is used in constructing the sling;

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-section on the line 44 of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the weighted rope attaching an anchor plate.

The leg bandage is denoted by the numeral 6 and since this is primarily designed and adapted for use on ones leg it is specifically described here as a footless stocking; that is, an elastic stocking which is snug-fitting and conformable and is made of washable elastic material which is susceptible of ready application and removable and, once in position will stay put. This stocking should be of such tensile strength that it will withstand a pull of ten pounds more or less. Certain available foam rubber products may be used in constructing the stocking to guard against accidental slippage and displacement. If necessary, and such is not the case, the inside of the stocking or the surfaces of the leg may be dusted with powdered rosin to insure maintenance once the stocking is applied. The stocking is sufficiently long to cover the lower leg as at 8 and a portion of the thigh as at 10, the restricted or smaller end 12 being fashioned to provide a secure fit around the users ankle. It may be stated here that, obviously, the stockings will have to be made in different sizes for men, women and children.

The complemental stirrup-like sling is denoted by the numeral 14. This sling should be made of tough strainresisting washable material. Experiments have shown that a suitable grade of canvas will do. By using thin canvas and doubling it upon itself an inelastic strap of the type shown in Fig. 3 is had. The main ply as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is denoted at 16 and the edges are doubled or folded and turned in and overlapped as at 18 and 20 after which they are stitched or otherwise connected together as at 22. The thus folded and stitched band or strap is then further reinforced by zigzag sti-tchings denoted generally by the numeral 24 in Fig. 3. When applied the end portions are stitched to diametrically opposite side portions of the stocking, that is, the portion 8, as at 26. Thus the strap is transformed into stirrup-like form but is here referred to as an inelastic flexible sling. The arm portions 28 range a considerable distance along the part8 of the stocking to insure strength cooperation between the parts and minimize the likelihood that an extra pull on the stocking might tend, otherwise, to displace the stocking. The bight portion is so stitched that it provides a pocket and this is denoted by the numeral 30 in Fig. 3 and it is in this pocket that the attaching and anchoring plate 32 is confined and suitably secured. While the plate may be of wood it is preferably of a composition material sometimes referred as hardboard although Masonite has been found to be especially appropriate for the purpose. In any event, this plate is rectangular in form and has a central hole 34 therein to permit the passage of the end portion 36 of the rope or flexible element. The end is simply threaded through and fashioned into a knot as at 38 to provide the desired separable connection. In practice the intermediate portion of the rope or flexible element is trained over a pulley 40 hung or suspended by an appropriate hanger bracket 42. The other end portion 44 of the rope is provided with selectively usable weight means 46 made up of weights removably mounted on a headed stem or rod 48. Obviously, the use of a weighted cord or rope and pulley means is well known in the art of traction devices. The essence of this invention is therefore in the bandage or stocking 6 of a washable elastic readily applicable and removable type and footless equipped with the inelastic washable tubular canvas band or strap fashioned into a stirrup-like sling. It is to be noted that the length of the plate 32 is appreciably greater than the width of the bottom of the users foot so that the portions of the arms between the end 12 of the stocking and the plate diverge and do not bind in an annoying manner against the ankle or foot. The device being quite simple and practical needs no special explanation in respect to its use. It is primarily intended for temporary nightly or similar use in the home and obviously the stocking being elastic can be slipped on or taken OE With no trouble and the rest of the structure rigged for handy and effectual use.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and ac cordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may as claimed. 1

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use in stretching and tensioning a users leg, a readily applicable and removable traction device comprising a snug-fitting conformable footless'stocking of washable elastic material, and a flexible stirrup-like sling of washable inelastic material embodying a pair of spaced parallel arms ranging lengthwise along diametrically 0pposite side portions of the adjacent lower leg part of said stocking and permanently secured to said side portions, a bight portion having a pocket, and a rigid bridge plate fastened in said pocket, said plate having a hole therein to accommodate a Weighted rope.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 and wherein said 4 plate is of a length appreciably greater than the width of the users foot.

3. The structure defined in claim 2 and wherein said sling comprises a tubular elongate canvas envelope formed by doubling lengthwise edge portions and overlapping and stitching the lengthwise edges together.

References Cited in the file of this patent 1954 catalog of the DePuy Mfg. C0,, Warsaw, Ind., p. 155 (copy in Div. 55.)

International Textbook of Surgery, published by W. B. Saunders, Philadelphia, Pa, in 1900, vol. 1, p. 376. (Copy in Div. 55.) 

